匾额又称扁额、扁牍、牌额，简称为扁、匾或额，是一种古老的传统民俗文化。凡是宫室、殿堂、亭榭、书斋、商铺等以大字题于门额上，均可称匾额。在历史长河中，匾额以其多变的式样、高超的书法艺术，与雄伟壮观的建筑相互辉映，成为建筑中不可分割的部分。 Plaque, also known as Bian'en, Biandu and Pai'en, is an ancient traditional folk culture. All palaces, halls, pavilions, study rooms, shops, etc. are inscribed on the door in large characters, which can be called plaques. In the long history, the plaques, with their varied patterns and superb calligraphy art, have become an integral part of the architecture, reflecting each other with magnificent buildings. 同时，匾额作为一种生活技艺习俗，也形成了一定的惯制和表现形式，在中国大地广为流传，成为了一种帝王将相与黎民百姓共享、汉民族与少数民族共有、大陆与台湾地区共存的、极富特色的习俗。 At the same time, as a living skill custom, the plaque has also formed a certain custom and form of expression, which has been widely spread in China. It has become a distinctive custom shared by emperors and generals and civilians, shared by Han and ethnic minorities, and coexisting between the mainland and Taiwan.
中国的古建筑，凡亭台楼阁，皆能见匾额。以匾额为一座建筑开篇、点题，若是领悟了匾额，便是遇见了一座建筑的灵魂。匾额又称扁额、牌匾等，是中国古建筑与文化的结合，是古建筑的必然组成部分，相当于古建筑的眼睛。 The plaques can be seen in all the pavilions and towers of ancient Chinese architecture. Take the plaque as a starting point for a building. If you understand the plaque, you will meet the soul of a building. Plaques, also known as flat forehead and plaques, are the combination of Chinese ancient architecture and culture, an inevitable part of ancient architecture, and equivalent to the eyes of ancient architecture. 从内容到款式，从材质到风格，都达到了与建筑水乳交融的境地。匾额一般挂在门上方、屋檐下。当建筑四面都有门时，四面都可以挂匾，但正面的门上必须要有匾。 From content to style, from material to style, it has reached a harmonious situation with architecture. The plaque is usually hung above the door and under the eaves. When there are doors on all sides of the building, you can hang plaques on all sides, but there must be plaques on the front door.
有一种说法认为，横着的叫匾，竖着的叫额。但从《说文解字》中对“匾”、“额”两字的解释来看，匾额即是悬挂于门屏上作装饰之用，反映建筑物名称和性质，表达人们义理、情感之类的文学艺术形式。There is a saying that the horizontal is called a plaque and the vertical is called an forehead. However, according to the interpretation of the words "plaque" and "amount" in Shuowenjiezi, the plaque is a literary and artistic form hanging on the door screen for decoration, reflecting the name and nature of buildings, and expressing people's sense and emotion. 在古代就有以“匾”来识别万物，以“匾”来区分贵贱尊卑，以“匾”来褒扬良善的习俗。可以说，匾额是一个家族的门脸，彰显着家庭的门第层次，道德修养。历史上曾出现“无处不匾”、“无门不匾”的盛况，匾额被称为“古建筑的灵魂”。 In ancient times, it has been a custom to identify all things with "plaques", distinguish high and low with "plaques", and praise goodness with "plaques". It can be said that the plaque is the face of a family, showing the family hierarchy and moral cultivation. In history, there was a grand occasion of "plaques everywhere" and "plaques everywhere". The plaques were called "the soul of ancient architecture".
在一些皇家园林或大户人家的门头上，多缀有匾额，匾额的四周边框上，雕饰各种龙凤、花卉，有的鎏金镀银、镶嵌珠玉，极尽华丽之能事，彰显身份与品位。 On the door heads of some royal gardens or large families, there are many plaques. The borders around the plaques are decorated with various dragons, phoenixes and flowers. Some of them are gilded with gold and silver and inlaid with pearls and jades. They are extremely gorgeous and show their identity and taste. 匾额，不只是一座建筑的名称，更多的是一种荣耀和精神存在，这份荣耀被立于墙上、门头等显眼的位置，为人所见，传承发扬，激励着后世。 The plaque is not only the name of a building, but also a kind of glory and spiritual existence. This glory is seen on the wall, at the door and other prominent positions, and is passed on to inspire future generations.
匾额分类多样，按其内容主要分为，建筑园林匾、表彰歌颂匾、店家老字号匾这三类；一般材质大多为木质，也有石质雕刻的，以长方形多见，尺寸以门面大小而定。 The plaques are classified into three categories according to their contents: architectural garden plaques, commendation plaques, and time-honored shop plaques; Generally, the material is mostly wood, and there are also stone carvings, which are mostly rectangular, and the size depends on the size of the door. 古建筑之上的匾额不仅赏心悦目，还能陶冶情操，是中华民族传统文化中一道独特的风景线。 The plaques on the ancient buildings are not only pleasing to the eye, but also can cultivate sentiment, which is a unique landscape in the traditional Chinese culture.
匾额之上，文字不多，多为黑漆金字，醒目端庄，寓意深远，措词文雅，书法劲壮美观，儒雅之气与生俱来，可谓“雅俗共赏”的典范。匾额开始，多用作宫殿、楼阁的标识。北宋时，随着商品经济的繁荣，商匾逐渐流行。明清时，匾额之风大盛，匾额内容追求意境和韵味。 On the plaque, there are not many characters, most of which are black painted gold characters. They are eye-catching, dignified, far-reaching, elegant in diction, vigorous and beautiful in calligraphy, and are born with the spirit of elegance, which can be described as a model of "common appreciation". 若是中国的山水园林，亭台轩榭，没有匾额，那就只能称作为一座建筑物，而有了文字书法的装点，便能升华其精神意韵之所在。 If there are no plaques in Chinese landscape gardens, pavilions and pavilions, it can only be called a building. With the decoration of calligraphy, it can sublimate its spiritual charm.
匾额悬于宅门，端庄恢宏；挂于厅堂，蓬荜生辉；置于名胜古迹，活色生香。虽只言片语，少许着墨，望之却巍然大观，感悟其中真意，不禁让人肃然起敬。 The plaque hanging on the gate is dignified and magnificent; Hanging in the hall, it is luxuriant; It is placed in the scenic spots and historic sites, which is lively and fragrant. Although there are only a few words and a little ink, I can't help but look at it with awe and awe. 在古代，大户人家门头常悬挂匾额，一块匾额的身后，寄托了主人的信仰与坚持，承载着一个家族的辉煌岁月，镌刻着一个姓氏的显赫与荣耀。 In ancient times, a plaque was often hung on the door of a large family. Behind one plaque, the belief and persistence of the owner were placed, carrying the glorious years of a family, and engraved with the splendor and glory of a family name.
